Eagle Lake Culvert in Acadia National Park

Eagle Lake Culvert

The culvert allows fish to swim comfortably and also protects the carriage road and Eagle Lake.

Plan Around Eagle Lake Culvert

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Eagle Lake Culvert Details

Eagle Lake is home to 13 fish species, many of which often travel up small streams to eat and reproduce. Many fish lay their eggs in freshwater streams, but spend most of their lives in the ocean like salmon and alewives. Or they may lay their eggs in the ocean, but spend their lives in fresh water like the American eel. The old culvert (an open drain under a road) at Eagle Lake was severely undersized and only allowed the strongest fish to make their way through the torrent of water pouring out of its mouth. Climate change is bringing more large rain storms to Mount Desert Island. During a large rain storm, this small culvert would quickly become overtopped, forcing water over the carriage road and pulling gravel into the stream. The gravel would effectively smother all of the cracks and crevices where fish and insects hide and eggs are laid. With funding from Friends of Acadia, the Park worked to replace the 24-inch round culvert with a more fish-friendly, 6-foot x 3-foot culvert with a flat, closed bottom. This new culvert allows the stream to feel uninterrupted to fish and other aquatic organisms while protecting the carriage road and Eagle Lake. In essence, it allows Acadia to be wild while giving visitors a way to enjoy the Park. To learn more, view the Fish Friendly Culvert at Eagle Lake video: https://vimeo.com/98439684

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Nearby Parks Around Eagle Lake Culvert

Compare nearby parks around Eagle Lake Culvert when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.

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Nearby Points of Interest Around Eagle Lake Culvert

Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Eagle Lake Culvert while the map context is still fresh.

0.1 mi away

Eagle Lake Loop

A level 6-mile loop around the Park's largest freshwater lake.

0.1 mi away

Aunt Betty Pond Loop

A moderate 6-mile loop to the shallow, marshy pond that contains numerous areas of aquatic vegetation.

0.1 mi away

Eagle Lake

At 425 acres, the largest lake on Mount Desert Island.

0.1 mi away

Eagle Lake Parking Area

A popular lot for starting on the carriage roads.

0.1 mi away

Eagle Lake Restrooms

A small restroom in the northern parking lot.